Scandal in Belgian football: Genk and Westerlo draw 1-1 amid match-fixing allegations

The last minutes of the 1-1 draw between the two went around the world and sanctions are being analyzed

A scandal of proportions was uncovered in Belgium during the close of the regular season of that country’s national championship, because Genk and Westerlo tied 1-1 on the last day of the first phase and the result was marked by striking scenes between the two teams. , who were favored by the score, but now face an investigation into a possible arrangement on the field.

Both needed a point to achieve their goals because the local team, Westerlo, was saved from relegation, while its rival wanted to achieve that unity to enter the championship zone (it displaced Gent), which grants the fight for the title and the possibility of qualify for the UEFA Champions League. The emotions waited until the last quarter of an hour of the match because Ravil Tagir put the home team ahead in the 80th minute and Bryan Heynen equalized for the visitors in the 86th minute. From there, the game was over.

The images of the transmission are eloquent. Genk never tried to go in search of victory and his opponents avoided putting pressure on them, despite having one more man due to the expulsion of Christopher Bonsu Baah. The referee’s looks spoke for themselves in the face of the atypical situation he observed, because one of the players even took the opportunity to do physical exercises in addition to the fact that two protagonists shook hands before the final whistle.

However, the most surprising action of the duel carried out on March 17 occurred when Joris Kayembe, from Genk, gave the ball to Nicolas Madsen, from Westerlo, as if it were a practice between teammates. Madsen had a chance to shoot at the goal because the goalkeeper, Maarten Vandevoordt, was poorly positioned and, in fact, the goalkeeper pretended to quickly get under the three posts, but the owner of the ball avoided converting and returned it to his rival.

What happened in Antwerp led to an investigation, because those responsible for the Belgian Football Association denounced a “farce of impartiality” in the result and a “parody.” Severe sanctions are being studied for the coaches and all the footballers who were on the field.

Two postcards that left the crossing between Genk and Westerlo even

Pending the hearing that will take place on April 5, the Belgian Radio Television of the French Community (RTBF) specified the proposal of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Belgian Football Union (URBSFA): a two-match suspension for the technical directors , Rik De Mil (Westerlo) and Wouter Vrancken (Genk), plus a fine of 2,500 euros; two-match suspension for Madsen and Kayembe plus a financial penalty of 2,000 euros; In addition, the two clubs would pay 10,000 euros as punishment and the other 20 players would have to pay 1,000 euros.

As if something were missing, there is a coach who will not be able to serve a possible sanction at his club because Rik De Mil was dismissed from his duties. This was reported by the entity: “The club has terminated the contract with the coach with immediate effect. Despite considering a long-term collaboration, we have been forced to make this decision. The club regrets having to take this measure, but cannot accept that its values ​​and standards are questioned. We thank Rik for his performance and dedication, and we wish him much success in the future.”

The Prosecutor’s Office emphasizes the counselors because they were “the only ones who could have prevented this unsportsmanlike scene, because they could influence the players, they were the coaches, something that did not happen (consciously).” The statement from this organization was published by the British newspaper The Sun and states: “It is impossible to determine who took the initiative, and no one would feel called to make statements about it. “It’s absolutely incredible that they couldn’t stop this show.” They described the case as a “blatant fraud.”

2024-03-28 20:58:00
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